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Home » Recipes » Breakfast & Brunch

Make-ahead healthy sausage breakfast casserole

By: Kathryn Doherty | Last Updated: Mar 6, 2025 | Published: Dec 9, 2016
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Make-ahead healthy sausage breakfast casserole uses turkey sausage and lots of veggies for a lightened-up version of the classic - perfect for entertaining, holidays and brunch!A hand holding a silver serving spoon scooping up a spoonful of a breakfast casserole with turkey sausage and vegetables from a large round white baking dish.

Ah, Friday. Welcome old friend. I missed you so...

Had a fun and full week here! Got to take a cooking class at Sur la Table, where we helped make an Italian feast. (It was a birthday present from my husband, who obviously gets me, but then he couldn't go because of a work thing. So I took a friend instead!) It was fun and delicious and a nice night out for this usually boring mama.

I also finally got my holiday cards addressed, stuffed, stamped and (mostly) out the door. 

Love that December is the one time of year that I actually look forward to getting the mail because there's bound to be a couple of cards each day, among the rest of the junk. It's the little things, right?!

A baked breakfast casserole with turkey sausage, veggies and cheese

Now, on to today's recipe... Who doesn’t love a breakfast casserole?

(I hope you didn't just raise your hand because we might have to part ways. And that would make me sad.)

And who doesn’t love a breakfast casserole that’s a little bit healthier and LOADED up with all the veggies?

Tell me I’m not alone here. Right? Right?!

A bowl full of chopped fresh veggies

My family growing up always made the traditional sausage and egg breakfast casserole. And yes, it’s really good. Like, so very good.

But once I was grown and making my own food, I wanted to healthify it a bit… lighten it up a little, add some veggies - you know, make it ME. 😉

And that’s exactly what this make-ahead healthy sausage breakfast casserole is. My style all the way!

It’s adapted from one of my favorite Southern cookbooks — Catering to Charleston by Frances Ellison Hamby — and has been one of my holiday and brunch staples for years!

I love that I can prep it ahead and that it serves a crowd. Doubly perfect for this time of year when we’re busy and have company visiting!

Different stages of a breakfast casserole being assembled An egg and milk mixture being poured over a breakfast casserole with turkey sausage, veggies and shredded cheese in a baking dish.

Notes on make-ahead healthy sausage breakfast casserole:

  • The bread cubes should cover the bottom of your casserole dish. Depending on your slices, it’ll be about 7-8 slices, cubed.
  • Hot turkey sausage adds a nice flavor boost but you can use mild when serving a crowd (or kids). You can also substitute pork sausage if you prefer, just be sure to drain any extra grease.
  • Please feel free to customize this! You can use whatever type of sausage you like  and you can leave out or change up the veggies to suit your preferences.
  • You can substitute the equivalent amount of egg beaters in this recipe. (My mom has an egg allergy so I’ve done this before.)
  • You can use gluten-free bread and check your sausage to make a gluten-free version of this breakfast casserole.

You can even make this vegetarian. Omit the sausage and substitute black beans (or you favorite beans) or use a 16 oz. package of mushrooms in place of the meat. (Sauté the mushrooms first so you can remove their moisture.)

Have leftover veggie scraps, after what you need for this casserole? Add them to omelets later in the week or sauté or roast them up for a side dish.

Like it spicy? Use the hot turkey sausage and add the optional red pepper flakes for a good kick.

Like it really spicy? You can also add a small jalapeño pepper to the casserole and/or serve the casserole with some hot sauce.

A scoop taken out of a breakfast casserole with turkey sausage and vegetables from a large round white baking dish. A serving of a veggie loaded breakfast casserole served on a small plate

Pretty much, customize this make-ahead healthy sausage breakfast casserole to make it your own! As breakfast casseroles should be, right?!

And if you need some ideas for rounding out your meal, overnight cheesy grits casserole is always a hit. You can also check out some healthy muffin recipes for a small, sweet bite.

Don't forget the bubbly either. Mimosas, poinsettia cocktail and brunch punch are all good options.

Cheers to the holiday season and all the get togethers!

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

A hand holding a silver serving spoon scooping up a spoonful of a breakfast casserole with turkey sausage and vegetables from a large round white baking dish.
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3.13 from 48 votes

Make-ahead healthy sausage breakfast casserole

This lightened-up turkey sausage breakfast casserole is loaded with veggies and perfect for entertaining, holidays and brunch!
Prep Time20 minutes mins
Cook Time1 hour hr
Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 7-8 slices French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 lb. turkey sausage (hot or mild), , removed from casing, cooked and drained
  • ½ cup chopped broccoli
  • ½ cup chopped Roma tomatoes (1 medium tomato)
  • ½ cup red bell pepper (½ medium pepper)
  • ½ cup chopped button mushrooms
  • 1 cup chopped fresh baby spinach
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 5 large eggs
  • 2 cups half and half (I use fat-free)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

For serving:

  • chopped fresh parsley, sliced green onions, hot sauce

Instructions

  • Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray. Add the bread crumbs to the bottom of the casserole dish. Top with the cooked sausage and the vegetables. Sprinkle with cheese.
  • In a medium bowl, beat the eggs and then whisk in the half and half and seasonings.
  • Pour egg mixture over the casserole to coat everything.
  • Cover the casserole with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 and remove the casserole from the fridge.
  • Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes or until the middle is set and the top is browned. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before cutting. Garnish with parsley and green onions and serve hot.

Notes

I prefer hot turkey sausage but I use mild when serving a crowd (or kids). You can also substitute pork sausage if you prefer, just be sure to drain any extra grease.
Like it spicy? Use the hot turkey sausage and add the optional red pepper flakes for a good kick.
Like it really spicy? You can also add a small jalapeño pepper to the casserole and/or serve the casserole with some hot sauce.
You can substitute the equivalent amount of egg beaters in this recipe if desired.
You can use gluten-free bread and check your sausage to make a gluten-free version of this breakfast casserole.
You can even make this vegetarian. Omit the sausage and substitute black beans (or you favorite beans) or use a 16 oz. package of mushrooms in place of the meat. (Sauté the mushrooms first so you can remove their moisture.)
Adapted from Catering to Charleston by Frances Ellison Hamby.

Nutrition

Calories: 444kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 154mg | Sodium: 1045mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram @familyfoodonthetable and tag me in your photo!
A collage of images about making an overnight breakfast casserole with veggies and turkey sausage.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen

    December 09, 2016 at 7:09 am

    Breakfast casserole is perfect for having guests over!! Prepping ahead is the true key for stress free success and delicious meals. Glad you had fun at the cooking class! I am still working on getting my Christmas cards out the door…my goal is by the end of the weekend 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      December 12, 2016 at 10:37 pm

      Yes! Great for company in town or for friends coming over - love having it ready to go in the morning! (And WHEW on the cards - always feels like such an accomplishment to have them out the door!)

      Reply
  2. Sonali- The Foodie Physician

    December 09, 2016 at 5:59 pm

    This looks great! Anything that's make-ahead is my kind of dish. Sounds like you had a great week. Getting those holiday cards out is no small feat!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      December 12, 2016 at 10:38 pm

      Haha, agreed - they are a beast! And yes to make-ahead, especially at the holidays!!

      Reply
  3. Lauren Grant | Zestful Kitchen

    December 12, 2016 at 8:11 am

    Looks great! Love that it is make ahead,makes the holiday season easier!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      December 12, 2016 at 10:38 pm

      Absolutely! Every little bit helps, right?!

      Reply
  4. CakePants

    December 20, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    This looks SO delicious! I have a bunch of sweet breakfast casseroles in my repertoire but no savory ones...but I think it's high time for that to change. I love the step-by-step photos that let us see all the different layers of tastiness 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      December 21, 2016 at 10:28 pm

      I adore a savory breakfast! And this one is definitely full of layers of tasty!! 🙂

      Reply
3.13 from 48 votes (48 ratings without comment)

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Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a cookbook author, mom of two, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes to help you get delicious food on the table for your family!

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